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Apple Unveils iPhone 5; Some Analysts Disappointed

Apple Inc's new iPhone is scheduled to become available for pre-order on Friday, September 14, 2012. Hitting retail stores a week later, it sports a raft of new technologies.

However, analysts say it's far from perfect.

Among the new gizmos on the iPhone 5: a 1136 x 640 pixel Retina display, a speedy new Apple "A6" processor, LTE/4G capabilities, a 720p front facing camera, three different microphones, better speakers, a 20 per cent reduction in weight, and a brand new 9-pin input/output connector.

Experts say the phone should last for up to eight hours of high speed web browsing on a single battery charge. (Source: cnet.com)

The new phone will be compatible with Verizon Wireless, AT&T, and Sprint, the United States' three largest cellphone service providers.

Newest iPhone Is Missing Important Innovation

Overall, the new iPhone 5 appears to include many of the technologies looked for by analysts. However, some people were left wanting more.

Apple failed to include the much-talked about "near field communications" chips that can make a smartphone function like a wallet, a passport, a credit card, a personal ID, and more.

"There is not a wow factor because everything you saw today is evolutionary. I do think they did enough to satisfy," noted Michael Yoshikami, chief executive of wealth management company Destination Wealth Management. (Source: Yahoo News)

"Overall, the device is a disappointment because it merely matches up to its competitors and showcases nothing revolutionary," added ZDNet's Ellyen Phneah. (Source: zdnet.com)

The iPhone 5 is encountering high expectations because the product is likely to face stiff competition from rivals, who seem ready to roll out exciting new smartphones for the 2012 holiday shopping season.

For example, Samsung now sells almost twice as many smartphones as Apple.

Coming Soon To A Market Near You

Apple's newest device is scheduled to start shipping on September 21 in the United States. Other countries that will get the iPhone 5 early include, Australia, Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, and Singapore, with nearly 100 markets to be covered by year's end.